Global Patent Index - EP 1837482 A1

EP 1837482 A1 20070926 - System and method of installing and maintaining an offshore exploration and production system having an adjustable buoyancy chamber

Title (en)

System and method of installing and maintaining an offshore exploration and production system having an adjustable buoyancy chamber

Title (de)

Verfahren und System zur Installation und Wartung eines Offshore Forschungs- und Produktionssystems mit verstellbaren Auftriebskammer

Title (fr)

Système et procédé destinés à installer et maintenir une exploration en mer et système de production comprenant une chambre à flottaison réglable

Publication

EP 1837482 A1 20070926 (EN)

Application

EP 06019039 A 20060912

Priority

US 38737806 A 20060323

Abstract (en)

A system and method of establishing an offshore exploration and production system is disclosed, in which a well casing (2) is disposed in communication with an adjustable buoyancy chamber (9) and a well hole bored into the floor of a body of water. A lower connecting member (5) joins the well casing (2) and the chamber (9), and an upper connecting member (12) joins the adjustable buoyancy chamber and a well terminal member. The chamber's adjustable buoyancy enables an operator to vary the height or depth of the well terminal member, and to vary the vertical tension imparted to drilling and production strings throughout exploration and production operations. Also disclosed is a system and method of adjusting the height or depth of a wellhead while associated vertical and lateral forces remain approximately constant. A variety of well isolation members, lateral stabilizers and anchoring means, as well as several methods of practicing the invention, are also disclosed.

IPC 8 full level

E21B 33/035 (2006.01); E21B 17/07 (2006.01); E21B 33/064 (2006.01); E21B 41/00 (2006.01)

CPC (source: EP US)

E21B 17/012 (2013.01 - EP US); E21B 17/07 (2013.01 - EP US); E21B 33/035 (2013.01 - EP US); E21B 33/064 (2013.01 - EP US); E21B 41/0007 (2013.01 - EP US)

Citation (search report)

Designated contracting state (EPC)

AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

Designated extension state (EPC)

AL BA HR MK YU

DOCDB simple family (publication)

US 2006162933 A1 20060727; AP 2006003682 A0 20060831; AR 056001 A1 20070912; AU 2006202945 A1 20071011; BR PI0603800 A 20070123; CA 2544362 A1 20061027; EP 1837482 A1 20070926; WO 2007108823 A1 20070927

DOCDB simple family (application)

US 38737806 A 20060323; AP 2006003682 A 20060710; AR P060103227 A 20060726; AU 2006202945 A 20060710; BR PI0603800 A 20060914; CA 2544362 A 20060420; EP 06019039 A 20060912; US 2006033708 W 20060828